JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
Funny, I had a client once who insisted on the deepest farmhouse sink we could find—looked gorgeous, but after a month she was complaining about her back. Sometimes I wonder if we get too focused on aesthetics or “bigger is better” and forget how we actually move around the space. Did you notice any difference in how you use the counter space now? I’ve seen deep sinks eat up more than people expect, especially with dish racks and all that stuff.
JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
I totally get where you're coming from. When I swapped out my old sink, I figured “bigger is better”—wanted to fit all the pots at once. But it’s wild how much it changed the way I use my counters. Suddenly, there’s less space for prepping stuff, and yeah, my back noticed the difference too after leaning in so much. It’s like one of those things you don’t realize until you live with it for a bit. Still, nothing beats the look of a big, deep sink... even if it comes with a few surprises.
- Can relate to “bigger is better”—but honestly, sometimes it’s not.
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“Suddenly, there’s less space for prepping stuff, and yeah, my back noticed the difference too after leaning in so much.”
- That’s the part people don’t usually think about. Depth messes with ergonomics.
- I’ve seen a lot of kitchens where the massive sink ends up crowding out prep zones or even makes the faucet tough to reach.
- Looks are great, but function takes a hit if you’re not careful with dimensions.
- If I’m being honest, I’d rather have a slightly smaller sink and more counter any day.
Bigger sinks always seem like a good idea—until you’re actually living with one. I ran into the same thing when we remodeled a few years back. The 33” single basin looked amazing on paper, but once it was in, I realized I’d underestimated just how much counter space it would eat up. Not to mention, the depth made it a stretch to reach the bottom comfortably, especially for my wife (she’s not tall).
One thing that really caught us off guard was how much the new sink changed the workflow. Used to be, I’d have a little spot next to the sink for chopping or setting dishes down. After the install, there was barely any room left for that kind of stuff. It’s funny—everyone focuses on width and length, but depth is just as important ergonomically. If you’re constantly leaning over a deep sink, your back is going to let you know.
I’ve noticed some people go for those farmhouse-style sinks because they look great, but they forget about how far they stick out from the cabinets. That extra inch or two can make a surprising difference over time. Personally, if I could do it again, I’d probably go with something a bit smaller and shallower. More prep space just makes everything flow better, especially if you cook a lot.
If anyone’s still planning their kitchen reno, I’d say mock up the dimensions with cardboard or tape first. Stand there and pretend to do dishes or prep food—you’ll get a feel for what works before making anything permanent. It’s easy to get caught up in trends, but function beats form every time in a working kitchen.
That’s a really good point about depth—people rarely think about how much it affects comfort until they’re standing there, scrubbing pans. I’ve seen a lot of folks get caught up in the “bigger is better” mindset, but honestly, a more modest sink can be a lot more practical, especially if you’re tight on space. There’s also the water usage angle; larger sinks can encourage filling up more than you need, which isn’t great for conservation. Mocking up with tape is a smart move... it’s surprising how different things feel in real life versus on paper.
